10 Common Website Design Mistakes and How To Avoid Them 

Key takeaways: 

• First impressions matter. Small web design mistakes like confusing navigation, cluttered layouts, or weak calls-to-action can frustrate visitors and drive them away. 
• Prioritizing mobile-friendly design, accessibility, clear visual hierarchy, and consistent branding helps create a smooth, user-focused experience that keeps visitors engaged. 
• Use analytics, user feedback, and regular testing to spot issues, improve performance, and continually make your website more effective. 

On the web, decisions happen fast. Once a visitor lands on your site, they scan for a few seconds and decide if they’ll continue browsing or make an exit. You only have a few seconds to nail that first impression. 

The problem isn’t really about what you offer. It’s often about those small website design mistakes that frustrate visitors and push them away. Clunky menus, pages that fail on mobile, and messy layouts each undermine trust, traffic, and conversions. 

But don’t worry. This guide covers the most common website design mistakes and their fixes, so you can finally create visit-worthy web pages.  

Here’s a quick glance of the 10 web design mistakes to avoid from the start: 

1. Confusing navigation and messaging 
2. Cluttered layout and no white space 
3. Weak or misplaced calls to action 
4. Forgetting to go mobile-friendly 
5. Poor accessibility 
6. Slow loading speeds 
7. Stock photos overload and low-quality images 
8. Inconsistent branding 
9. No clear visual hierarchy 
10. Ignoring analytics and user feedback 

Mistake 1. Confusing navigation and messaging  

Visitors arrive on your site with a goal. If the menus are messy or your homepage copy is unclear, don’t expect them to stick around. Poor site design lowers website’s credibility, annoys website visitors, and kills conversions. Good navigation helps users move through your site easily, while clear messaging tells them right away who you are and what you offer. Without both, people will click away. 

Signs you have this issue: 

• High bounce rates and low time on page. 
• Visitors struggle to navigate past your homepage. 
• Mobile users give up because the mobile version is glitchy. 
• Your headline or copy leaves visitors confused about what you do. 

How to fix it: 

• Use clear, intuitive navigation labels instead of clever but confusing text. 
• Limit your main menu to 5–7 important elements. 
• Keep a consistent visual hierarchy so the most important content gets noticed.  
• Add a search bar for larger sites to guide users quickly. 
• Write a straightforward homepage headline that explains who you are and what you offer. 
• Use simple, benefit-driven copy to show how your products or services help visitors. 

Quick win: 

Test your site with fresh eyes. Better yet, run a quick usability testing session with a friend or customer. If they can’t find what they need in under three clicks, simplify. 

Need extra guidance? Our Pro Services team can work with you to create a tailored web design and marketing strategy that helps your site perform better and meet your business goals. 

Mistake 2. Cluttered layout and no white space  

When a visitor lands on your site, they skim in a flash. If the page is jam-packed with text, images, or bright distractions, they lose focus and head out. Without some white space, your layout feels too heavy that it would cost you conversions. 

One way to test out your layout is by making drafts. Brian McMullin, SVP for Product at Network Solutions, says that “Drafts are a great way to try different layouts, create versions for events, and publish the one that works best. With AI Website Builder, you can add up to five drafts and swap between them easily.” 

How to fix it: 

• Remove unnecessary elements that don’t guide users toward a goal. 
• Use font sizes and spacing strategically to create contrast. 
• Stick to a consistent grid layout so content looks balanced across different screen sizes. 
• Add breathing room around CTAs so they grab attention without noise. 

Quick win: 

Apply the “3-second test.” If a user can’t identify the important content or elements in three seconds, simplify. Or, for a hands-on redesign walkthrough, check out Brian’s AI Website Builder video tutorial. 

Mistake 3. Weak or misplaced calls to action  

A strong call-to-action (CTA) is one of the most important elements on any page. It guides visitors toward the next step, whether that’s signing up, booking, or buying. Ambiguous text, lifeless buttons, or CTAs hidden on small screens confuse users.  

How to fix it: 

• Place CTAs where users naturally pause, like at the top of the page and after key sections. 
• Use clear, emotional wording that connects to potential customers, such as “Start My Trial Today,” instead of the generic “Submit.” 
• Make CTAs stand out visually with contrast, like larger font sizes and strategic color. 
• Test across different screen sizes to confirm your CTAs are easy to access on mobile devices. 

Quick win: 

Add a bold, action-driven CTA to your homepage hero section. Keep it short, clear, and clickable. 

Mistake 4. Forgetting to go mobile-friendly 

62.54% of web traffic starts on mobile devices. Without mobile-friendly design, visitors will struggle, give up, and leave. A clunky mobile version makes your business look outdated and weakens trust. 

How to fix it: 

• Use responsive templates that adjust smoothly to different screen sizes. 
• Simplify menus for small screens with clear icons and intuitive navigation. 
• Test your mobile site on both iOS and Android to spot design flaws. 
• Keep CTAs large enough to tap with a thumb. 

Quick win: 

Run a mobile-friendly test with Google Lighthouse. If it flags problems, fix them quickly. Keep in mind that your visitors won’t wait around. 

Want a site that works everywhere? Build a responsive design with our AI Website Builder. 

Mistake 5. Poor accessibility  

Accessibility plays a critical role in good web design. Without it, you risk locking out users who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers. A lack of alt text, weak contrast, or missing labels makes your site less friendly for everyone. 

How to fix it: 

• Use alt text that tells screen readers what your images are about. 
• Use color schemes that follow accessible design guidelines instead of clashing with your brand color palette. 
• Include focus indicators so users navigating with keyboards can see where they are. 
• Label forms and buttons clearly to guide users where to click. 
• Test your site with accessibility checkers and adjust for small details like font contrast and input fields. 

Quick win: 

Run a free checker like WAVE. It spots design mistakes to avoid, such as unreadable text and unlabeled buttons. 

Mistake 6. Slow loading speeds  

Web design mistakes slow your site down. Each extra second sends visitors away, hurts your search rankings, and makes your business look less reliable online.  

Slow loading happens for many reasons. It could be too many plugins, bulky design elements, server slowdowns, or even network issues. You can’t control all of it, but you can solve much of it by improving your site’s design.  

How to fix it: 

• Compress images to optimize load time while keeping quality. 
• Enable browser caching and add a content delivery network (CDN) for faster performance. 
• Choose a hosting provider with fast, scalable services. 
• Avoid non-responsive design elements that add unnecessary bulk to mobile pages. 

See more speed-boosting techniques in our eCommerce site speed guide. 

Quick win: 

Test your site with Google PageSpeed Insights. It shows real-world examples of what’s slowing you down and how to fix it. 

For a faster, more reliable website, explore our hosting services built to keep your business quick, responsive, and dependable. 

Mistake 7. Stock photos overload and low-quality images  

Some web design mistakes scream “unprofessional” louder than blurry stock shots or overused graphics. They give your site a generic look and turn off website visitors looking for authenticity. Worse, poorly optimized images slow down the page and clutter the design with distracting elements or harsh bright colors. 

How to fix it: 

• Original photography helps website owners present real products, people, and spaces, so use it whenever you can. 
• If stock is your only option, pick high-quality visuals that look natural and visually appealing. 
• Mix in custom graphics, icons, or branded illustrations to create a unique feel. 

Quick win: 

Audit your homepage. Replace the first three generic images with authentic or branded visuals. 

Mistake 8. Inconsistent branding 

Your visual identity works best when it looks unified across the site. Mixing fonts, clashing icons, or random bright colors confuses website visitors and dilutes your brand. It also makes your site look less trustworthy, even if everything else is perfectly in place.  

How to fix it: 

• Create a brand style guide that standardizes fonts, colors, and tone. 
• Limit yourself to one to two fonts with defined weights for headings and body copy. 
• Apply your branded colors strategically, not randomly.  
• Avoid pairing clashing bright colors. 
• Align your visuals (buttons, icons, headings, footers) across pages so users feel at home no matter where they land. 

Quick win: 

Pick one random page and audit it for consistency. Swap out any odd font or misplaced color that doesn’t match your style guide. 

Mistake 9. No clear visual hierarchy  

One of the most common web design mistakes is failing to guide the eye. When a site has no hierarchy, visitors don’t know where to look first. Headlines, CTAs, and key messages blend into the noise. This frustrates visitors and hurts your search engine performance. 

How to fix it: 

• Use larger headings for key points so visual elements get noticed right away. 
• Apply color and contrast to direct attention toward CTAs. 
• Keep sections consistent all throughout the headings, subheadings, and body text. 
• Place the most important content at the top to meet visitors where they’re looking first. 

Quick win: 

Make your main CTA the boldest, clearest visual element on the site. If it’s buried, your hierarchy is broken. 

Mistake 10. Ignoring analytics and user feedback  

Design is strategy in action. Without user research, your site runs in the dark. You won’t see where users struggle, or why they can’t find what they need. That blind spot costs conversions. In fact, many websites leave serious design mistakes unaddressed simply because there’s no real feedback loop. 

How to fix it: 

• Install tools to track clicks, heatmaps, scrolls, and bounce patterns. 
• Combine that data with direct input from real users via polls, short surveys, or usability sessions. 
• Use analytics and feedback to prioritize fixes that will lead to measurable results. 

Quick win: 

Set up Google Analytics 4 to spot major flaws from even tiny user samples.  

How to avoid common web design mistakes from the start  

The best way to nail web design is to avoid the traps most businesses fall into. Here are simple ways to keep them off your site from day one. 

• Plan before you begin designing. Many websites fail because businesses skip research and jump straight into visuals. Take time to map user needs and set clear goals. 
• Prioritize user experience (UX). Simple menus and clear layouts help people move around without thinking twice. Make sure your site works on mobile too so visitors get a smooth experience anywhere. 
• Make web accessibility a priority. Ignoring accessibility is one of the most common mistakes. Follow best practices so all users can navigate your site without barriers. 
• Balance functionality with seamless user experience. Don’t just focus on looks. Your design should guide visitors smoothly toward key actions. 
• Test often and update regularly. A huge percentage of website design mistakes happen when sites go live and stay untouched. Regular testing prevents issues from piling up. 

Skip trial and error. Our custom web design services help you create a site that supports your goals and wins customers.  

Build seamless user experience with smart site design 

Every click, every scroll, every second counts. Falling into even small web design mistakes can cost you credibility, waste clicks and weaken results. But when you put accessibility, mobile-friendly layouts, and smart site design at the core, your website works like a partner in your business. 

Don’t let these common mistakes hold you back. Build a website that’s easy to use, visually appealing, and effective for your users. Get expert help from our Pro Services team or launch with our AI-powered website builder. 

Frequently asked questions